Melanated Farmers Privacy Policy

Melanated Farmers (“Melanated Farmers,” “we,” “us”) runs melanatedfarmers.com, an online directory where Black farmers list vegetables, organic meats and other healthy food, and where customers find and contact them directly. Melanated Farmers LLC owns and operates the site.

This policy explains what information we collect when you visit the site, create an account, list products, or message another user, and how we use and protect it. By using the site, you agree to this policy.

From farmers (sellers):

• Name, farm or business name, email, phone number, and farm location or service area
• Product listings, descriptions, prices, and photos you upload
• Billing information for your listing plan, marketing plan, or banner ads (processed by our payment processor; we do not store full card numbers)
• Information you share for marketing services, such as photos, video, or drone footage taken during an on-site visit

From customers (buyers):

• Name, email, and phone number if you create an account
• Your location or ZIP code if you search for farms near you
• Messages you send to farmers through the site

Automatically, from everyone:

• Device and browser type, IP address, pages visited, and time spent on the site
• Cookies and similar technologies (see Section 6)

We use your information to:

• Create and manage your account and listings
• Connect customers with farmers and deliver messages between them
• Process payments for listing plans, marketing plans, and banner ads
• Verify farmers for the verified badge on eligible plans
• Send account notices, receipts, and, if you opt in, news and promotions
• Improve the site, fix problems, and prevent fraud or misuse
• Follow the law and enforce our Terms of Service

We do not sell your personal information.

Public listings. Farm names, product listings, photos, prices, and the location you choose to show are public. Anyone visiting the site can see them. Only post what you are comfortable sharing.

Messaging. When customers and farmers message each other on the site, we store those messages so both sides can see the conversation. We may review messages to investigate reports of fraud, abuse, or violations of our Terms. Sales, pickup, and delivery are arranged directly between you and the other user; we are not a party to those transactions.

AI features. Some plans include AI tools, such as help writing listings or answering customer questions. Text you enter into these tools may be processed by a third-party AI provider to generate a response. We do not allow those providers to use your information to train their own models where that option is available to us.

We share information only as follows:

• With other users: your public listing, and the messages you send to the person you are messaging

• Service providers: companies that help us run the site, such as website hosting (Vercel), payment processing (Stripe), email delivery, analytics, and AI tools. They may use your information only to provide services to us.

• Legal reasons: when required by law, subpoena, or court order, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of our users or the public

• Business transfers: if Melanated Farmers is sold or merged, your information may transfer to the new owner under this policy

• With your consent: for any other purpose you agree to

We use cookies and similar tools to keep you signed in, remember your preferences, and understand how people use the site. We may also use analytics or advertising tools, such as Google Analytics or the Meta Pixel, to measure visits and the results of our ads.

You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Some parts of the site, such as signing in, may not work without them.

Retention. We keep your information while your account is open and as long as needed to provide our services, keep business and tax records, resolve disputes, and follow the law. When you close your account, we delete or anonymize your personal information within a reasonable time, except where we must keep it.

Security. We use reasonable safeguards, such as encrypted connections (HTTPS) and limited access to account data. No website is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee the security of information you send us.

Children. The site is not meant for children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their information. If you believe a child has given us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.

You can:

• View and update your account and listing information at any time in your account settings
• Unsubscribe from marketing emails using the link in any email (account and billing notices will still be sent)
• Close your account by contacting us

Virginia residents and residents of other states with privacy laws may also have the right to:

• Confirm whether we process your personal data and get a copy of it
• Correct inaccurate personal data
• Delete your personal data
• Opt out of targeted advertising, sale of personal data, or profiling (we do not sell personal data)

To use these rights, email us at contact@melanatedfarmers.com. We will respond within 45 days. If we deny your request, you may appeal by replying to our decision, and if your appeal is denied, you may contact your state Attorney General.

We may update this policy from time to time. When we do, we will change the “Last updated” date at the top. If the changes are significant, we will notify you by email or with a notice on the site.

Questions about this policy or your information? Contact us: